ABSTRACT
Self care is a dynamic process for controlling diabetes. The aim of study was to determine the role of family support in encouraging self care for patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was performed in Mashad Health Center No 2 with 950 participants, using the cluster sampling method. The study tool, a researcher-made questionnaire with validity and reliability of r = 0.85, covered demographic data, patient information, percept self care, self efficiency, and family support. The inclusion criterion was having diabetes type II for at least one year. Family support as an independent variable, self care as an dependent variable, and demographic factors were the background factors. Data were analyzed by SPSS v16, using T-test, Chi 2 and logistic regression models. Among 1340 participants, 33.5% had irregular diabetes control, whereas married patients [p= 0.076] with small families [p= 0.042] and higher education [p=0.001], males [p=0.002], urban areas [p= 0.001] had better self care. Among the different aspects of self care, therapeutic care ranked first, followed by diet control and foot care ranked last. Higher family support enhanced self care and therefore higher weight loss [p=0.066], more decrease in blood glucose [p=0.075], and more normal HbA1c [p=0.056]. Selfcare was higher in male married patients, small families with higher education, urban area and those with longer duration of diabetes. Among different aspects of self care using medication had the highest rank whereas foot care received the least attention